Beverage

'...we suggest that arrhythmia could be a complication of ED consumption...' ©iStock

Energy drinks linked to cardiac events

By Eliot Beer

A new study of a patient with cardiac arrhythmia and bloody vomit after drinking Monster energy drinks provides new evidence the high-caffeine beverages may cause cardiac problems.

'...with the same exercise you're preserving glycogen and producing much less lactic acid...' ©iStock

'this hasn't been seen before'

Ketone esters boost endurance in elite athletes: Study

By Shane STARLING

A ketone ester drink developed by an Oxford University start-up for the US Army has shown benefits to elite endurance athletes by unlocking “greater human metabolic potential.”

'Coconut oil has a bit of a history in [knowledge gaps]...' ©iStock

Fads in focus: Coconut oil – panacea or artery clogger?

By Simone Baroke

There is barely a food or beverage category that has not been invaded by coconut in some shape or form, says Euromonitor International contributing analyst, Simone Baroke. But is the world justified in going loco for coco?

Nutrient profiles would send a clear message to the industry: If you plan on using this health claim on X, Y or Z product, don’t bother filing it. © iStock.com / pixinoo

Caffeine claim calamity should give nutrient profiles wings

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Commission has started the first phase of its investigation into the need for nutrient profiles, with a report expected in spring 2017. Yet with the caffeine claim fiasco ongoing, it’s never been clearer how necessary the profiles are.

‘Science on polyphenols has come a long way’ ©iStock

SPECIAL EDITION: ANTIOXIDANTS, POLYPHENOLS & CAROTENOIDS

Juice maker shares polyphenols venture experience

By Shane Starling

Massachusetts-based Juice maker Welch’s entered the global ingredients business in 2014 with its polyphenol-loaded Concord grape offerings. We fly at the speed of words inside the grape with global ingredients VP Wayne D Lutomski.

The €1.62m-project PUReOPE wants to make polyphenols from brewing, distilling, malting and cereals sector waste common place. © iStock.com / mrdoomits

Special Edition: Antioxidants, polyphenols & carotenoids

Pint of polyphenols? Culture shift needed to find value in brewery waste

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The EU has offered up big money for a project to get high value polyphenol compounds from brewing industry waste. Yet the leader of the project says a business culture shift is also needed to take the practice mainstream.

Parliament concerns over energy drinks come to a head as MEPs vote to veto caffeine health claims. © iStock.com / KatarzynaBialasiewicz

MEPs vote to veto 4 caffeine health claims

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Parliament’s Environment and Public Health Committee (ENVI) has adopted a last-minute motion that could see four controversial caffeine claims vetoed in a move the energy drink sector warns could result in yet more years of "legal uncertainty”.

The global energy drink sector is set for robust growth but could regulations and health concerns chill expansion? ©iStock

Sector to grow 40% by 2020

The world’s unquenchable thirst for energy drinks

By Shane STARLING

Global sales of energy drinks hit €38.2 billion last year and will be worth €53.4bn in 2020 according to Euromonitor International, even as regulatory winds blow ill beneath the sector's wings. 

'The supplements are periodised during the season and then we provide combinations to meet particular needs - eg illness, injury.' ©iStock

Leicester City signs sports supplements deal

By Shane STARLING

Welsh firm Pro Athlete Supplementation (PAS) has signed a deal that makes it the exclusive sports supplements supplier to reigning English Premier League (EPL) champions Leicester City Football Club.

New look and new horizons: NOA Relax & Focus

New look and new horizons: NOA Relax & Focus

By Rachel Arthur

Inspired by the wilderness of the Swedish archipelago, NOA Relax & Focus has now set its sights on 30 markets worldwide. One lesson learned so far was the need for a rebrand: ensuring consumers can immediately identify what the drink is all about. 

The California-based energy drink giant has been locked in an appeals process for its EU trademark since 2013.

'Green Beans M Java Monster' canned

You’ve got fax: Monster mashed in EU trademark battle

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Monster Energy Company has lost a trademark battle with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for the wording ‘Green Beans’ following a three year argument over a lost fax.

The profile of the sweetener has been boosted this month with the launch of STATE, a Danish sports drink fronted by Premier League football player Christian Eriksen.

Product strategy expert says palatinose's 'time has come'

By Lynda Searby

As consumer knowledge about blood sugar level management builds, low-glycaemic sweetener Palatinose could be about to enjoy its day in the sun, according to author and marketing guru Julian Mellentin. 

Consumers want to see tangible effects from functional beverages. Pic: iStock

What to watch in functional beverages

By Rachel Arthur

Functional beverages are tapping into consumer interest in health and wellness, but consumers are increasingly discerning and demand drinks deliver on their promises. 

© iStock

Berry drink shows skin benefits

By Shane Starling

A polyphenol-rich red and black currant berry drink has shown significant anti-wrinkle and skin smoothing benefits in a 12-week French study.

The Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) voted to back the Commission’s draft proposals in a meeting on Tuesday.© iStock.com / ratmaner

EU committee vote backs 4 caffeine claims

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A member state committee has voted to back the European Commission’s decision to authorise four health claims on caffeine and ban a final fifth. 

EU politicians voted today to scrap nutrient profiles. 'We deeply regret the EU Parliament chose to stand by the food industry and let down consumers,' said consumer rights group BEUC. © iStock

European Parliament votes to scrap nutrient profiles

By Niamh Michail

Members of European Parliament (MEPs) voted today to scrap nutrient profiles, a result that leaves consumer rights groups, public health campaigners and some industry players sorely disappointed.

Some of the products high in salt, fat or sugar that claim to be healthy. Photo: FoodWatch

80% of surveyed products don't pass WHO nutrient profile

Survey blasts industry & EU for allowing unhealthy foods to make health claims

By Niamh Michail

What’s the difference between a chocolate bar and an apple? Not much if you go by the misuse of health claims on food in Germany and the Netherlands says campaign group FoodWatch, after evaluating over 600 products making prominent claims to be healthy,...

GoodBelly's probiotic juice drinks  Source: GoodBelly

Growing probiotic market prompts GoodBelly's new products launch

By Douglas Yu

GoodBelly has launched four new product lines, including GoodBelly Protein Shake, GoodBelly Juice Drink, GoodBelly Sparkling Drinks and GoodBelly Ade, as consumers are gravitating more towards the functional beverage category, according to the company.

ECF: “I can’t speak for coffee companies but the claims might be used as general information on product websites rather than on coffee products.

Bean boon? EC prepares for long-awaited caffeine claims

By Shane STARLING

The EC has drafted four endurance and cognition health claims for caffeine indicating a belated entry into EU law books five years after EFSA first approved them – but industry isn’t holding its breath.

Spotlight

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars

Featured Suppliers

All